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Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot

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Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot (formerly Ricky Ricotta's Giant Robot) is a series of children's adventure novels written by Dav Pilkey (best known for his Captain Underpants books). The original run of books was illustrated by Martin Ontiveros, but the rebooted series is illustrated by Dan Santat.

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The series was formerly called Ricky Ricotta's Giant Robot, which Pilkey used when he published the first three books. Young readers were quick to point out that the robot was only giant in relation to Ricky Ricotta's size (if he is 12 times taller than a mouse, he's only about 2.5 feet tall) and suggested that the adjective be eschewed for "mighty", which Pilkey did.

After the Book o' Fun (also taken from Captain Underpants) was released, the series went into a seven-year hiatus. In October 2013, it was announced that the series was due for a rebooting with a new artist, Promoted Fanboy Dan Santat, who not only re-illustrated the whole series but is also on board to illustrate two remaining books not published during the Ontiveros era, both of which are upcoming.

Be Careful What You Wish For: In Uranium Unicorns from Uranus, Ricky, easily annoyed by his robot's gigantic size given that he's a little mouse, makes a wish at night that the Robot should find another friend his own size so he won't have to hang out with him all the time. However, it turns out his wish has inspired a plan by the villains, who sent a giant unicorn robot to fight with the Robot. Thus, Ricky changes his mind about his wish and ventures out to get his robot back from the unicorn robot.

Berserker Tears: Lucy's reaction to being told by Ricky that if they don't destroy the evil robot in book 7 that there will be no more sweets in the world. Lucy does NOT take that well.

Big "NO!": In Mecha Monkeys from Mars, Ricky shouts this after finding out his robot was kidnapped.

Bully Hunter: Ricky becomes one in the first book after saving the robot from Dr. McNasty.

Continuity Cavalcade: Every book in the series ends with the villain getting thrown in jail next to the villains from the previous books. Uncle Unicorn noted it was getting crowded once he was tossed in there.

Cool and Unusual Punishment: In the first book, the Robot's evil creator, Dr. McNasty, tries to punish him by zapping him after he refuses to destroy Squeakyville. But then the Robot was saved by Ricky...

Pluto Is Expendable: Scientists in Squeakyville no longer considering Pluto a "real" planet is President Penguin's motivation for attacking Earth.

Punny Name: Ricky's full name is a play on both the word "ricotta"note which is cheese; in fictional works, mice are obsessed with cheese and the name of actor Desi Arnaz's character, Ricky Ricardo, from the show I Love Lucy.

Shout-Out: One book features "Hate Potion #9", a reference to the song "Love Potion No. 9".

Show Within a Show: "Rocket Rodent" in Voodoo Vultures from Venus. It was Ricky's favorite show. The titular character is similar to Sparkster.

Take Over the World: It seems that this is the intent of every villain in the series. For Dr. Mc Nasty, he simply wants to take the city over. For the other villains, they just aren't content with living on their home world for one reason or another. Admit it. None of them have ever played Master of Orion, so none of them know that in the game, there are technologies that can improve a planet's climate.

Theme Naming: Lucy was named after Lucille Ball, who had a TV show called I Love Lucy, where she was married to a musician named "Ricky Ricardo". Also, Lucy's mother and father, Aunt Ethel and Uncle Freddy, were named after Fred and Ethyl Mertz, two other characters from the same show.

Tickle Torture: Done by Ricky to Victor von Vulture in order to escape him in Voodoo Vultures from Venus.

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